A New Era for MLS
Major League Soccer announced on August 3, 2026 that Larry Berg will become its next commissioner, taking over the league’s top post on January 1, 2027. The decision follows a comprehensive succession planning process that the MLS Board of Governors conducted with the assistance of Korn Ferry, CAA and The Miles Group.
Berg currently serves as co‑managing owner of Los Angeles Football Club and co‑chair of the league’s Sporting and Competition Committee. He brings more than three decades of private‑equity experience from Apollo Global Management and 26North, and he previously held ownership stakes in Serie A club AS Roma and Swansea City AFC in Wales.
In preparation for his new role, Berg will divest his interest in LAFC to ensure impartial leadership of the league and its 30 clubs. His background includes a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School and an MBA from Harvard Business School, grounding him in both analytical rigor and strategic vision.
Jimmy Haslam, chief executive of Haslam Sports Group, praised Berg’s qualifications and highlighted the continuity of leadership that the executive brings after helping LAFC win the 2022 MLS Cup and the 2019 and 2022 Supporters’ Shield. Bennett Rosenthal, lead managing owner of LAFC, expressed excitement for Berg’s upcoming responsibilities while acknowledging his contributions to the club.
Under Berg’s prospective direction, MLS plans to introduce a new competition calendar in 2027, expand its portfolio of stadiums and deepen engagement with supporters. The league’s headquarters in New York City will coordinate a schedule that spans clubs across the United States and Canada, with matches streamed on the Apple TV app.
Berg has emphasized strengthening the quality of play, developing world‑class players and deepening connections with fans. He also looks forward to future media‑rights discussions, building on the current partnership that makes all MLS and Leagues Cup games available through the Apple TV platform.